Printing-press.



Patented-july 2, 1901.

J. L. F IBM.

PRINTING PRESS.

(Application filed Nov. 12, 1900.)

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(No Model.)

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3 Sheets-Shoot 2 I Patented m 2, 1901.

J. L. FIRM.

PRINTING PRESS.

(Application filed Nov. 12, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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awe/Wm No. 677,737. Patel lted July 2, [90L J; FIRM.

PRINTING PRESS.

[Application filed Nov. 12, 1900. (No Model.) 2 z7 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

By. a f

Wilma/2 %5mM/bo UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH L. FIRM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOSS PRINTINGPRESS COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

PRINTING-PRESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 677,737, dated July1901- Application filed November 12,1900- Serial No. 36,204. (Nq model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OSEPH L. FIRM, of Chicago, Cook county,-Illinois,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Printing- Presses, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in printing-presses, andcomprises the novel features which will he hereinafter described, andparticularly pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a press built in accordancewith my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Figs. 3, 4, 5,and 6 are diagrams showing the imposition of the forms upon thecylinder. Fig. 7 shows in detail the turning-bars and the web beingturned over the same. Fig. 8 shows a form-cylinder having the formsarranged thereon in a slightly-different manner from the forms as shownin Figs. 1 and 2, but in accordance with the same principles. Figs. 9,10, 11, and 12 are diagrams showing the imposition of the pagescorresponding with the construction of the form-cylinder shown in Fig.8.

The object of my invention is to produce a compact press which shallproduce newspapers, magazines, and similar matter which containillustrations and printed matter either upon the same or separate pages.This is a rotary perfecting-press and is so constructed that it mayproduce Work of, the character above named in greater quantities thanmay be produced upon other than a rotary perfecting-press and in betterstyle than the ordinary rotary press. The great difficulty in theoperation of rotary presses for producing fine printing of the charactermentioned is that they require the services of an expert pressman tomake the forms ready, so as to produce good printing upon bothillustrations and printed matter. As these two kinds of printing-thatis, illustrations and printed matterrequire considerable variation inthe supply of ink, it is exceedingly difiicult, if not impossible, tosatisfactorily print the two upon cylinders where pages of a dilferentcharacter follow after each other in the same circumferential section ofthe cylinderthat is, where a page containing many illustrations followsafter a page of printed matter one is apt to require more ink than theother, and if the supply of ink is adjusted for one page it will notproduce satisfactory work upon the other page. In my present press theforms are placed upon the form-cylinders in sections which alternatewith blank spaces of substantially equal size,

so that each form-cylinder will print only onehalf of one surface of theweb at one passage.

To produce a perfecting-press, I therefore use two form-cylinders actingupon opposite sides of a common impression-cylinder. At the same time Iuse a half-width web-that is, a web half the width of the entire lengthof the cylinders-and reverse the web and shift it to the opposite sideof the cylinders,

so that the first passage of the web prints one side thereof by contactwith the halves of the cylinders at one end and the other side of theweb is printed by contact with the halves of the cylinders at the otherend in its second passage.

The press, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, has the centralimpression-cylinder C and the two form-cylinders B and D lying uponopposite 8o sides thereof. These form and impression cylinders are ofequal length and of a length twice the width of the Web. I The web isshown as a roll at A, from which point it passes about the guide-roller1 and thence over the impression-cylinder C at one end thereof,contacting inits passage about the impressioncylinder with theform-cylinders B and D. The web then passes under the guide-roller 2'andthence about the turning-bars 3 and 4, go which are shown in detail andplan in Fig. 7. By these bars it is shifted into line with the otherhalf of the cylinders and is reversed, so that when it passes again overthe guide-rollers 5 and 1 to the impression-cylinder C the 5 otherhalves of the form-cylinders B and D will act upon the other side ofthe'web,1thus completing its printing. The web after this second passagebetween the impression and form cylinders is conducted about the guide-Ioo rollers 6 and 7 and then between guide-rollers 8 and 9, at whichpoint, if desired, it is l in Fig. 2.

acted upon by a slitter 11, and then passes over formers and folders 10between rollers 12 and 13 after a manner which is not of itself new inmy present invention. An offsetweb, which is shown in a roll at E, isconducted thence with the Web A in its second passage about theimpression-cylinder and between said web and the impression-cylinder, soas to prevent blurring of the ink. The offset-web is conducted with theprinted web about the guide-rollers 6, 7, and 8 and is folded with theweb by the formers 10 and 10, two of which are shown in Fig. 2. The twowebs are then partially opened out .by the formers 14, and theoffset-web is removed from between the printed web and is conductedbetween the rollers 15 16 and thence over the roller 18 and is wound up,as the roll F, which roll is supported and turned by means of therollers 21 and 22. Suitable inking mechanisms, as the rolls L L H I J K,are provided for supplying the impression-cylinders.with ink. Theseinking mechanisms may be of any approved construction in which it ispossible to adjust the supply of ink so that it may be varied fordifferent portions of the length of the roll. As this feature is onewhich is common and well known in the art, a further description andillustration thereof in the present application are not deemednecessary. The printed web after having the offset-web removed therefromis conducted between rollers 18 19 and thence to cutting and foldingmechanisms G, which may be of any approved construction.

Figs. 3,4, 5, and 6 show the imposition of the various pages, the pagesbeing numbered to correspond with the numbering which they would hear inthe completed product, the numbers running from 1 to 16 and the figuresbeing shown reversed or wrong side up on those pages in which theprinted matter would be correspondingly placed. In Fig. 8 the forms areshown secured to one of the form-cylinders in a manner differing fromthat shown in Fig. 2 by having the columnrules running circumferentiallyof the cylinder instead of lengthwise thereof, as shown In Fig. 2 theforms are shown as each extending over one-eighth of the circumferenceof the cylinder, while in Fig. 8 they extend over a greater section ofthe cylinder. The number of forms which are used upon anycircumferential zone of the cylinder may vary according tocircumstances; but all the forms upon any circumferential zone should beduplicates of each other, so that the inking which is best for one formwill be best for all the others. The impression-cylinder 0 should alsobe of such size relatively to the form-cylinders that the forms will atall times contact with the same surfaces of the impression-cylinder, sothat the preparation of the surface of the impressioncylinder may bemade such as will best correspond with the matter being printed.

This may be secured by making the impression-cylinder of the same sizeas the formcylinders or by making the circumference thereof any multipleof the distance between successive forms. The impression-cylinder maytherefore be either larger or smaller than the form-cylinders so long asthe proportion stated is maintained.

Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12 show the imposition of the pages correspondingwith the arrangement of forms shown in Fig. 8. The figures placed uponthese figures of the drawings correspond with the number of the pages ofthe printed product, but are not all made to stand in the same directionas the types would in the printed product.

With a press of this character illustrated magazines and similarillustrated work may be rapidly produced and the quality of the printingbe first class. At the same time the press is in a compact form and allparts thereof easily accessible.

I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction and proportion ofparts herein shown and described where it is possible to change themwithout changing the principles of their operation, but desire to claimall modifications of such nature, whether they have herein beenspecifically referred to or not.

I am aware .that returning the web to the same printing-couple to printthe second side is'not new, and I do not herein seek to cover such aconstruction broadly,'but only in combination with my peculiararrangement of form and impression cylinders and also in combinationwith the same and an oifset-web.

I claim- 1. A printing-press having a single printing-couple consistingof a single impressioncylinder and plural form-cylinders of equal lengthand coacting therewith to print both sides of the web, meansforconducting a half width web between one end half of saidimpression-cylinder and form-cylinders to print one side of the web,means for turning and shifting the web into line with the other endhalves of impression and form cylinders and means for passing the webbetween said other halves of the impression and form cylinders to printthe other side of the web, substantially as described.

2. A printing-press having a single printing-couple consisting of asingle impressioncylinder, two form-cylinders of equal lengthcooperating therewith to print both sides of the web, saidform-cylinders having forms secured thereto upon alternating andsubstantially equal spaces both circumferentially and longitudinallythereof whereby only half the surface of the web is printed at a time byeach form-cylinder; the forms upon one cylinder printing in the spacesleft blank by the forms upon the other cylinder and means for turningand shifting a half-width web coming from one end halves of thecylinders and presenting it to the other end halves of the cylinders toprint the other side thereof in the same manner, substantially asdescribed.

3. A printing-press having a single printing-couple consisting of asingle impressioncylinder and plural form-cylinders of equal lengthcoacting therewith to print both sides of the web, means for conductingahalf-width web between one end half of said impressioncylinder andform-cylinders to print one side of the web, means for turning andshifting the web into line with the other end halves of the impressionand form'cylinders,'means for passing the web between said other halvesof the impression and form cylinders to print the other side of the weband means for conducting an offset-web between the web being printed andthe impression-cylinder during the second passage of the web about theimpression-cylinder, substantially as described.

4:. A printing-press having a single printing-couple consisting of asingle impressioncylinder and plural form-cylinders of equal length andcooperating therewith to print both sides of the Web, saidform-cylinders having forms secured thereto upon alternating andsubstantially equal spaces both ciroumferentially and longitudinallythereof whereby only one-half the surface of the web is printed at atime by each form-cylinder; the forms upon one cylinder printingin thespaces left blank by the forms upon the other cylinder, means forturning and shifting a halfwid th web coming from one of the end halvesof the cylinders and presenting it to the other end halves of thecylinders to print the other side of the web in the same manner andmeans for conducting an ofiset-web between the web being printed and theimpression-cylinder during the second passage of the Web about theimpression-cylinder, substantially as described.

5. A printing-press having a single printing-couple consisting of animpression-cylinder and two form-cylinders of equal length coactingtherewith to print both sides of the web, means for conveying ahalf-width web between one end half of said impression-cylinder andform-cylinders to print one side of the web; the form and impressioncylinders being proportioned to bring the same surfaces in contact atall times, means acting upon the web after one side is printed to turnthe web and shift it into line with the other end halves of theimpression and form cylinders and means for conducting the web betweensaid other end halves of the impression and form cylinders to print theother side of the web.

6. A printing-press having a single printing-couple consisting of asingle impressioncylinder and two form-cylinders of equal lengthcooperating therewith to print both sides of the web; saidform-cylinders having forms secured thereto upon alternating andsubstantially equal spaces both circumferentially and longitudinallythereof, whereby only one-half the surface of the web is printed at atime by each form-cylinder; the forms upon one cylinder printing in thespaces left blank by the forms upon the other cylinder, the form andimpression cylinders being proportioned to bring the same forms incontact with the same spaces of the impression-cylinder at all times andmeans for turning and shifting a half-width web coming from one of theend halves of the cylinders and for presenting it to the other endhalves of the cylinders to print the other side thereof in the samemanner, substantially as described.

7. A printing-press having a single printing-couple consisting of animpression-cylinderand two form-cylinders cooperating therewith to printboth sides of the web, the forms upon any circumferential zone of eithercylinder being duplicates of each other, means for passing a half-widthweb in succession between opposite end halves of the cylinders and meansfor reversing the web between said successive passages whereby each ofthe end halves of the cylinders prints'upon a different side of the web,substantially as described.

8. A printing-press having a single printing-couple consisting of animpression-cylinder and two form-cylinders cooperatin g therewith toprint both sides of the web, the forms upon any circumferential zone ofeither cylinder being duplicates of each other, means for passing ahalf-width web in successionbetween opposite end halves of the cylindersand means for reversing the web between said successive passages wherebyeach of the end halves of the cylinders prints upon a different side ofthe web and means for conveying an offset-web between the printed weband the impression-cylinder during the second passage of the printed webabout the impression-cylinder, substantially as described.

9. A printing-press having a single print ing-couple consisting of animpression-cylinder and two form-cylinders of equal length cooperatingtherewith to print both sides of the web, said form-cylinders havingforms secured thereto upon alternating and substantially equal spacesboth circumferentially and longitudinally thereof whereby only half thesurface of the web is printed at a time by each form-cylinder; the formsupon one cylinder printing in the spaces left blank by the forms uponthe other cylinder, the forms upon any circumferential zone of eithercylinder being duplicates of each other, means for passing a half-widthweb in succession between oppo site end halves of the cylinder and meansfor reversing the web between said successive passages whereby each ofthe end halves of the cylinders prints upon a different side of V theweb, substantially as described.

10. A printing-press having a single printing-couple consisting of animpression-cylim der and two form-cylinders of equal length cooperatingtherewith to print' both sides'of the web, said form-cylinders havingforms se- IIO cured thereto upon alternating and substantially equalspaces both circumferentially and longitudinally thereof whereby onlyhalf the surface of the web is printed at a time by each form-cylinder;the forms upon one cylinder printing in the spaces left blank by theforms upon the other cylinder, the forms upon any circumferential zoneof either cylinder being duplicates of each other, means for passing ahalf-width web in succession between opposite end halves of the cylinderand means for reversing the web between said successive passages wherebyeach of the end halves of the cylinders prints upon a different side ofthe web, means for conveying an offset-web between the printed web andthe impressioncylinder during the second passage of the printed webabout the impression-cylinder, substantially as described.

11. A printing-press having a single printing-couple consisting of animpression-cylinder, a pair of form-cylinders of equal lengthcooperating therewith to print both sides of the web each form-cylinderhaving forms of substantially equal size secured thereto so that bothcircumferentially and longitudinally each form is adjacent to aspace ofsubstantially equal size whereby only half of one surface of the web isprinted by each cylinder at the same passage of the web; eachform-cylinder printing upon the spaces of the web left blank by theother form-cylinder, means for passing a half-width web in successionbetween opposite end halves of the cylinders and means for reversing theWeb between said successive passages, substantially as described.

12. A printing-press having asingle printing-couple consisting of animpression-cylinder, a pair of form-cylinders of equal lengthcooperating therewith to print both sides of the web, each form-cylinderhaving forms of substantially equal size secured thereto so that bothcircumferentially and longitudinally each form is adjacent to a space ofsubstantially equal size whereby only half of one surface of the web isprinted by each cylinder at the same passage of the web; eachform-cylinder printing upon the spaces of the web left blank by theother form-cylinder, means for passing a half-width web in successionbetween opposite end halves of the cylinders and turning-bars adapted toturn and laterally shift the web between said successive passages,substantially as described.

JOSEPH L. FIRM.

Witnesses:

H. L. REYNOLDS, CHAS. J. RATHJEN.

